Ninth Dan Imperial Dao, Origin Sage

As the Supreme Heaven Pride Battle draws near, in this tranquil time before the storm, Li Hao repeatedly stirs the Dao Sound Small Bell, comprehending the Painting Dao.

With the fourth surge, Li Hao's understanding of the Painting Dao has reached the Ninth Dan of perfection.

He vaguely grasped that final step towards transcendence, from the Ninth Dan to the Tenth Dan, from the mortal realm to the Sage, having his own unique Painting Dao.

Li Hao continued the fifth surge of Dao Sound Small Bell, hoping to break through in one fell swoop.

However, despite the gathering of numerous Flash of Insight, they remained stuck in the previous thoughts and perceptions. This final Painter Saint Dao cannot be achieved through mere inspiration. Although the stirring of the Dao Sound Small Bell seemed like an epiphany, it was ultimately not a true epiphany.

Li Hao realized that he couldn't achieve sainthood in his skills with just this small bell, so he quickly shifted his thoughts to the Chess Dao while the Dao Sound was resonating.

Even Eighth Dan Chess Dao level in Go can significantly improve their skill level if they can reach the Ninth Dan.

As inspiration gathered, my understanding of the Chess Dao deepened rapidly, and many Flash of Insight occurred.

Then Li Hao agitated the Dao Sound Small Bell for the sixth time. This time, the bell's color had become extremely thin, as if it would dissipate at any moment.

The Flash of Insight brought about by the excitement allowed Li Hao's Chess Dao to improve rapidly, subtly approaching the Ninth Dan.

Without stopping, Li Hao launched the seventh surge in one go. This time, the crimson light completely dissipated, and the Dao Sound Small Bell slowly vanished from Li Hao's sea of consciousness after the vibrations ended.

The final Flash of Insight of inspiration allowed Li Hao's Chess Dao to break through rapidly, allowing him to touch upon the true Dao Realm.

Two and a half resounding Dao Sound propelled him from the Eighth Dan of Chess Dao to a near -Perfection Ninth Dan.

Li Hao estimated that two bursts of Dao Sound were equivalent to one sudden enlightenment. This Dao Sound Small Bell could be amplified seven times, providing seven great boosts when one was stuck at a bottleneck.

Li Hao looked at the Chess Dao Realm that had been improved to the Ninth Dan and directly embedded it into the Imperial Dao Path.

In an instant, countless thoughts surged forth.

The Ninth Dan Imperial Dao encompasses all Dao Arts and the mastery of energy across Ninth Dan.

At this moment, Li Hao truly reached the Dao Law Realm, where his Words Become Law, and his thoughts could arise Birth and Extinction in an instant!

Furthermore, as he reached the pinnacle of the Daoist Realm through the Ninth Dan of the Dao Law Realm Imperial Dao, coupled with his insights into the Ninth Dan of Path of the Physical Body, Li Hao suddenly had a feeling that if the Imperial Dao and the Path of the Physical Body could be Perfection combined, he might be able to touch the pinnacle of the Dao Inquiry Realm.

Upon Dao Hearing, the True Person Realm integrates the Dao Realm into oneself, making one invulnerable to Dao Power.

The Dao Law Realm is the realm of mastering the Principle of Heaven and Earth.

If one can combine the two, the Principle will be integrated into oneself, making one impervious to all laws and undamaged in Dao Power!

Li Hao's eyes gradually brightened. If he could really do that, then even if he stood still and did not put up any resistance, other experts at the Dao Inquiry Realm would find it difficult to harm him in the slightest!

Having clarified his thoughts, Li Hao immediately attempted to integrate the Principle into himself.

But thinking about it is one thing, doing it is another. After several failed attempts, Li Hao suddenly thought of the process of absorbing and refining Ultimate Dao Power. This sparked Flash of Insight: if Ultimate Dao Power can be refined, can Principle also be refined?

He immediately used the Imperial Dao to imprint the Principle into his Divine Blood.

He had previously cultivated the God Blood Dao Body, which contained Dao Power Divine Blood. Among the physical bodies of the True Person Realm, it was considered top-tier, and the Dao Power remained intact. Now, he wove the Principle into tiny, needle-like forces, which flowed into the Divine Blood and were then slowly refined.

However, it was extremely difficult for the Law Power to contain it within the tiny Divine Blood.

Fortunately, Li Hao had a deep understanding of the Ninth Dan of the Imperial Dao, and his Mastery over the Principle had reached the peak of the Dao Law Realm. After expending a lot of energy, he finally managed to imprison a Principle within his Divine Blood and completely refine it!

From that moment on, the Divine Blood contained the power of this Principle.

If a Principle is encountered that is equal to or mutually exclusive with this Principle, it will cancel out or resist it.

"It really works!"

With the first Principle successfully refined, Li Hao's Deity. This path was correct; he could continue on it!

However, this path, like the refinement of Qi Meridian, also takes time.

This kind of time consumption is unavoidable. Only now did Li Hao understand why other people's cultivation takes hundreds of years. Some things need to be refined and comprehended, just like building a house. There's no use rushing. If you rush, you won't build it well and it will easily collapse.

Fortunately, the Lands of the Saints was rich in energy and Principle, so Li Hao's refining speed was not slow. In the days that followed, he refined the Principle every day, and his physical body became more and more powerful and terrifying.

However, there is only a little over a month left until the Supreme Heaven Pride Battle.

Li Hao secluded himself in the courtyard to cultivate every day. During this time, Lin Baichuan, Chu Hanwei, and the others were also making their final push, all in Seclusion or using their own methods to relax. No one visited each other, for fear of disturbing others.

As the competition drew near, Li Hao had already refined over a hundred Principle within his body, giving him a unique aura. Just by standing there, he seemed to be surrounded by Principle.

"Unfortunately, the final step in Painting Dao requires a true epiphany."

When Li Hao emerged from seclusion, he felt an abundance of power throughout his body, much stronger than before, but compared to Sage, he still couldn't achieve a qualitative leap.

His previous Eternal Dao Domain alone was enough to suppress Half-Saint and easily defeat those of the same realm. Now, with the addition of Qi Meridian and the condensation of Principle within his body, he is on the path to the Hearing Dao Extreme Realm, and his strength has increased dramatically. However, the Dao Gate Sage is simply too high, and the gap is too great.

Previously, when he Sparring with Old Feng, he injured Old Feng, but he relied on the peerless sword Immortal Guides the Way "Immortal's Swordsmanship".

His own strength was insufficient to contend with Sage.

Moreover, Old Feng wasn't really fighting back then. If he were to face that Void Saint in a true life-or-death battle, Li Hao still wouldn't be very confident. But the difference is that this time he has the power to fight back. Although he's not confident of victory, he won't lose in such a humiliating way.

Reaching this level at the Dao Inquiry Realm is already considered incredible, but this is not what Li Hao wanted.

"If one were to cultivate their Qi Meridian and Meridians to their Hearing Dao Extreme Realm, perhaps a battle could be fought, but time is running out. If only another year were available..."

Li Hao frowned. Time was too tight. Although he had improved rapidly in the past six months, reaching an unimaginable level compared to others, it was still not enough.

"Right now, the fastest path we can take is to fully solidify the nascent Saint Dao Seed!"

"With the Saint Dao Seed, combined with numerous Extreme Realm Power, and Immortal Guides the Way, we should be able to put up a fight!"

Although the Saint Dao Seed is only a nascent form and easily defeated by the true Sacred Dao, it ultimately belongs to the Sacred Dao and is qualified to be served.

Unlike refining Principle and cultivating Qi Meridian, the Saint Dao Seed requires comprehension. It's neither a long nor a short process; one might not be able to comprehend it for decades, or one might achieve sudden enlightenment in a single day.

"The Heaven Pride Battle is coming soon. Our Small Thousand Realm is quite a distance from the Heaven Origin Realm, so we need to set off ahead of schedule."

Feng Boping arrived at Li Hao's Courtyard and informed Li Hao that they should prepare to depart.

Li Hao remained silent. To others, it was about competing with Heavenly Prodigy, but to him, once he stepped onto this path, he might be ambushed and killed by Sage. His opponent was Sage.

Seeing that Li Hao did not answer, Feng Boping seemed to sense his worry and said:

"You don't need to worry about the matter between the Buddhist Sect and that Void Saint. Just focus on participating in the Supreme Heaven Pride Battle. I've taken care of everything else. As long as you win first place, everything will be fine, and there will be an unexpected surprise!"

"An unexpected surprise?"

Li Hao couldn't help but look at Old Feng.

"That's right. I heard from an old friend that in addition to the Incense offerings, the first-place winner this time will also receive three extremely precious Heaven and Earth Treasures, which are crucial materials for cultivating Dao Tribulation Emperor Weapon!"

Feng Boping's eyes gleamed as he said, "I heard that two of the Heaven and Earth Treasures materials were donated voluntarily by the Buddhist Sect and the Void Sacred Land as a reward for the winner of the Supreme Heaven Pride Battle!"

"The other matter seems to be a generous gift from some Supreme Saint, which has nothing to do with us, but you should know the reason why the Buddhist Sect and the Void Sacred Land have suffered such a huge loss, right?"

Li Hao's expression turned slightly cold. "Trying to lure me over Past?"

"That's right."

Feng Boping sneered, "Within this Small Thousand Realm, in the Thief Heaven Sacred Land, is my territory. Within Sage's territory, as long as you don't leave, I can always protect you. Even if Supreme Saint were to come, I would have a way to escape. But if you leave this Small Thousand Realm and are no longer in my Saint Domain, your fate is uncertain."

"They're afraid you'll back down and won't dare to participate, so they're using this to tempt you."

"But what they don't know is that with your ability, as long as you participate, you're guaranteed to win first place; no one can rival you!"

Feng Boping knew what the Buddhist Sect and the Void Saint were planning. If they could lure Li Hao into the competition, they would ambush and kill him. As for the lost Heaven and Earth Treasures, they would let them fall into the hands of the number one contestant in the other's Heaven Pride Battle. They would simply send someone to spread the word that the Heaven and Earth Treasures were an extra favor from them, and they would still gain a favor from the donor.

After all, the person who can defeat the number one Heavenly Prodigy in Heavenly Realms can become a saint on the spot. At least this goodwill can be transformed into a bridge for friendship. All in all, it is definitely not a loss!

A murderous glint appeared in Li Hao's eyes. The Buddhist Sect and the Void Sacred Land were truly willing to go to such lengths to kill him.

"What you need to do is take first place!"

Feng Boping said, "Not only will I become a saint, but I'll also take their treasures. I'd like to see their expressions!"

Upon hearing this, the murderous intent in Li Hao's eyes gradually subsided, and he suppressed it, saying, "Their willingness to bleed so heavily to lure me Past suggests that this journey will be extremely dangerous."

Feng Boping nodded. "That's right, but I've already called on my old friend, along with the Lie Heaven Saint. We have a way to get you safely to the Heaven Origin Realm. Once you're Heaven Origin Realm, they won't dare to touch you without permission. After all, that's where the Supreme Saint resides, and the laws of the Upper Three Realms are extremely strict. The Law Saint is very disciplined and will never tolerate anyone overstepping their bounds in the Upper Three Realms!"

"The Law Saint..."

Li Hao's eyes flashed. The Law Saint was one of the Supreme Saint. The Laws of the Divine Dynasty, the etiquette between the monarch and his subjects, and so on, all revolved around the word "law," which showed the Law Saint's importance.

Having witnessed the ugly and false faces of this Void Saint and that Buddha Lord, Li Hao had no bias towards the Supreme Saint. However, he did not trust the person behind the saint, but he trusted the Sacred Dao.

Sage always adhere to their own Sacred Dao; otherwise, going against them will only harm themselves.

Even if it seems contrary to outsiders, if the Sage has his own views and understanding, then it is not considered contrary.

Just as the Buddha Lord's act of feeding his own flesh to an eagle is an act of compassion, some people may see it as aiding and abetting evil and nurturing wickedness. However, how one views this is entirely up to the Buddha Lord's own heart.

"The Heaven Origin Realm has laws established by the Law Saint, which no one dares to violate. Furthermore, I have found Mo Family Saint in the Heaven Origin Realm to protect you. With Supreme Saint sage presiding over the Mohist Mo Family, if the Buddhist Sect dares to touch Mo Family Saint, it will surely enrage the Supreme Saint!"

Feng Boping said to Li Hao, "In addition, I visited the Origin Sage of the Heaven Origin Realm. When he learned about your situation, he told me that if you can win first place, he will protect you and no one can harm you in the slightest."

"Origin Sage?"

Li Hao was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but look at Old Feng. He had been in the Lands of the Saints for quite some time. Apart from the ten years he wasted hiding and escaping in the Void, he had been recuperating in the Sword Ancestor Sacred Land for nearly two years.

He had also heard of the many Supreme Saints in the Lands of the Saints; in the Sacred Land of the Upper Three Realms, Supreme Saint were in charge!

This Origin Sage is the oldest Sage in the Lands of the Saints!

The Origin Sage already existed when the second Sage was born, walking the world and teaching the people.

The fact that Old Feng was able to visit him and get him to help him clearly shows that Old Feng had done a lot behind the scenes for him during this period.

Li Hao paused for a moment, then said to Old Feng Daoist, "I'm afraid I can never repay Old Feng's kindness."

"Go away, who wants you to pay me back!"

Upon hearing Li Hao's words, Feng Boping spat in annoyance, then smiled and said:

"Other people's Heavenly Prodigy Saint Child only need to peacefully Seclusion participate in the competition, but you have to face the ambush of Sage. You have no other support in this Lands of the Saints, unlike those Heavenly Prodigy who were born into prestigious families and have been apprenticed to Sacred Land since childhood. You have to rely entirely on yourself. If I don't help you, who can?"

"Don't worry about any of this nonsense. Just focus on preparing for the competition and winning first place. Once you become a saint, we'll settle accounts with them one by one!"

Li Hao took a deep breath. Old Feng had gone to such lengths for him; how could he possibly back down?

"I will!"

Li Hao said earnestly.

He wasn't initially very keen on winning first place; he only wanted to receive the Incense. But now, he truly wants to hold that first place in his hands.

"The Origin Sage cherishes talent. If you can take first place, you will surely gain his favor. In the Lands of the Saints, many Sages have received the Origin Sage's grace and guidance during their cultivation. Although they did not formally become his disciples, they have shown him the utmost respect. If the Origin Sage takes a liking to you, with just a word, no one in the Heavenly Realms will dare to touch you!"

Feng Boping said that this was the real path he had paved for Li Hao.

Upon hearing this, Li Hao nodded slightly, gave Old Feng a deep look, and said nothing more.

After speaking with Li Hao, Feng Boping asked Li Hao to wait in the courtyard before leaving.

Before long, Feng Boping brought back two figures: one was the previously seen Lie Heaven Saint, and the other was Sage dressed in a black robe.

They concealed their Aura, yet their bodies were still surrounded by Daoist Dao Resonance, appearing otherworldly and untouchable, as if standing in the cracks of Heaven and Earth.

"I also have other old friends who will follow me in secret; this one is the Mo Family Saint."

Feng Boping introduced himself to Li Hao via telepathy.

Li Hao immediately bowed to the black-robed Sage in greeting.

The Mo Family Saint, named Yuan Zhou, glanced at Li Hao and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Although Li Hao's Aura was not obvious, his body seemed to contain a restrained Law Power, which had never been seen in other Dao Law Realm.

"No wonder the Sacred Power strongly recommended him; he truly possesses extraordinary talent."

Yuan Zhou smiled and said to Li Hao, "I came here not only at the invitation of the Thief Saint, but also at the request of my fellow disciples. You need not worry, I will definitely take you to the Heaven Origin Realm."

Hearing his words, not only was Li Hao surprised, but Feng Boping was also taken aback. He had gone to the Mo Family Sacred Land and gone to great lengths to finally invite someone, but now the other party claimed that he was acting on someone else's behalf?

Did someone else ask him to take care of Li Hao?

Seeing the Thief Saint's questioning gaze, Yuan Zhou smiled slightly and said, "I was reluctant to agree, but the Thief Saint has offered far too much."

Feng Boping: "..."

In other words, the other party benefited from both ends?

I was only doing this for someone's sake, and I ended up gaining favors and benefits from him in return. Good heavens...

"Who asked you to look after them?" Feng Boping asked curiously. He wouldn't be surprised if Li Hao knew Sage from the Sword Ancestor Sacred Land, but the Mo Family was from the Heaven Origin Realm, and Li Hao had never been there. Who would know him?

Yuan Zhou mysteriously. "Then it's not convenient to say more."

Seeing that he was unwilling to reveal the truth, Feng Boping had no choice but to give up. Li Hao was suspicious, but he didn't think too much about it, figuring he would find out sooner or later.

"Little guy, you're going to owe me a favor again. You absolutely have to win first place this time; I'm still waiting for you to repay it."

Lie Heaven Saint, however, looked at Li Hao with a smile.

Li Hao smiled wryly and nodded earnestly, saying, "Yes, I will!"

Feng Boping said to Li Hao, "To cover your journey to the Heaven Origin Realm, we need you to use your clone Cultivation Method from the Mortal World. Can you do that now?"

Li Hao was taken aback, and immediately knew what Old Feng was talking about. His Two-Faced Person Codex Attributes allowed him to create a clone that inherited 30% of the original's power.

"No problem."

Li Hao nodded.

"Alright, then you can start practicing your internal energy first. I'll wait for you outside."

Feng Boping said.

The three immediately left the Courtyard.

Upon seeing this, Li Hao immediately activated the Codex Attributes and created Dark Side Clone.

Looking at the Dark Side Clone looked exactly like him and had the same Aura, Li Hao vaguely guessed Old Feng's plan.

Once the clone was created, Li Hao called upon Old Feng.

When Old Feng, Yuan Zhou, and Lie Heaven Saint entered again, they were all somewhat surprised to see Li Hao's Dark Side Clone.

"Your clone is truly incredibly realistic."

Yuan Zhou said.

Lie Heaven Saint glanced at it twice and could see the obvious difference, but only someone skilled in deception Path of Lies could see it; an ordinary person might not.

"Not bad." She gave an approving comment, her eyes filled with even more admiration as she looked at Li Hao. If she could seduce this boy to the Lie Heaven Sacred Land and make him Saint Child, then the Sacred Land would be worry-free even without her in the future.

"Your True Form will follow us, while your avatar will be secretly escorted by the Lie Heaven Saint."

Feng Boping told Li Hao that this was a decision he had discussed with Lie Heaven Saint.

It was mainly Lie Heaven Saint's idea; when it comes to fraud, Lie Heaven Saint is the real expert.

The Mastery over people's hearts is exquisite.

Li Hao nodded, agreeing to leave it all to them.

As the date drew near, the Saint Child of the two Sacred Land gathered together and boarded a massive Flying Boat Treasure, to traverse the Void.

The Feng Boping, and Yuan Zhou is here, including Li Hao True Form, as well as the Saint Child of the two Sacred Land, making a large number of people.

Two hours after they left the Sacred Land, Lie Heaven Saint, carrying Li Hao's clone, sped towards the Heaven Origin Realm via another route, their whereabouts concealed along the way.